The Lemon Index
200120034th generation
51 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,100 and 47,000 miles (13,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09V399000 (speed control), 08V051000 (speed control) and 07V336000 (speed control) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rough idle and/or hesitation when acclerating on certain super duty vehicles equipped with a…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 51 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 47K miles (13K to 76K km) on the car (31 of all 51 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When the consumer attempted to apply the brakes, it did not go down to the floor. After a few second the pedal went down to the floor. The consumer noticed that the pedal was hard.
2002 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10101606
More owner reports
Vibrations floor,steering wheel new problem brakes rear inner pads and rotors gone 22k miles.
NHTSA complaint 10023546
Consumer states original equipment (tires) general tire model# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ dot:#_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ belt is broken., dealer has been notified. Please provide model# and dot #. Ts
NHTSA complaint 8021071
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rough idle and/or hesitation when acclerating on certain super duty vehicles equipped with a…
- Ticking/tapping noise with the engine warmed up and the transmission in gear at idle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER…
- Speed control · recall issued 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND…
- Speed control · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Show all 4 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN VANS AND WAGONS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." FOR CERTAIN 2003 E250 VANS BUILT WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES, THE REAR AXLE RATING IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHvac switch failures2010–2012
- ClosedHvac switch failures2009–2010
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2002" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 30; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (27%), tires (22%) and engine (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford E-Series have?
4 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford E-Series problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,100 and 47,000 miles (13,000–76,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
Is there a better Ford E-Series year than the 2002?
Not nearby: the 2002 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford E-Series years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works